Pipa concerto
- pipa and orchestra

Traditionally
pipa is mainly a solo instrument, some time used in folk
ensembles such as the traditional "silk and bamboo ensembles"
that are commonly found in South-East China. It is also used in accompanying
story telling, or local opera. Nowadays, pipa
is more and more used in contemporary compositions for ensemble, orchestra,
and various combinations with both Chinese and western instruments.
There are excellent concertos for pipa with orchestra by composers from
countries such China, USA, Canada and Japan, etc. Due to its special
sound color and great potentials, pipa works very beautifully with orchestra,
as is demonstrated in the following sound sample of Tan Dun's compsotion,
"Ghost opera" performed by Liu
Fang and Manitoba Chamber Orchestra (guest conductor: Scott Yoo; recorded
by CBC radio).

Special
thanks to the Manitoba
Chamber Orchestra and the CBC radio for the permission to
use this 1-minute audio clip for demo purposes. Complete
recording is available for demo puproses upon
request.

January 31,
2006, Liu Fang performed with Manitoba Chamber Orchestra the celebrated
Tan Dun's composition - concerto for pipa with string orchestra, conducted
by Scott Yoo. This recording was produced by CBC Radio. The total
length is about 20 minutes. On the right chanel, only a small section
is shown due to web-capacities.